Nigerian Man Pleads Guilty in $6 Million Inheritance Scam Targeting Over 400 Elderly Americans

A 41-year-old Nigerian national, Ehis Lawrence Akhimie, has pleaded guilty in a U.S. court to conspiracy charges in a transnational inheritance fraud scheme that swindled more than 400 elderly and vulnerable Americans out of over $6 million.

According to a statement from the U.S. Department of Justice, Akhimie and his co-conspirators sent personalized letters to victims, posing as representatives of a fictitious Spanish bank. The letters falsely claimed that the recipients were entitled to multimillion-dollar inheritances from deceased relatives.

Victims were instructed to pay fees including taxes, delivery charges, and legal costs to access the fake inheritances. However, no funds were ever disbursed. Instead, the fraudsters used a sophisticated network of intermediaries, including former victims in the U.S., to collect and forward the stolen money.

Akhimie entered his guilty plea on June 17, 2025, and now faces up to 20 years in federal prison.

The case, part of a broader international investigation into transnational fraud, has already led to the conviction of seven co-conspirators from Nigeria, Spain, Portugal, and the United Kingdom. Several of them were extradited to the United States and handed lengthy prison terms by Judge Kathleen M. Williams and Judge Roy K. Altman in previous rulings.

“This case is a testament to the critical role of international collaboration in tackling transnational crime,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate, head of the DOJ’s Civil Division.
“We will continue to pursue, prosecute, and bring to justice criminals who target vulnerable U.S. consumers regardless of where they operate from.”

Bladismir Rojo, Acting Postal Inspector in Charge for the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Miami Division, emphasized their long-standing partnership with the DOJ in protecting Americans from fraud.

“We are committed to delivering justice and safeguarding consumers.”

Ray Rede, Acting Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Arizona, added:

“Transnational fraud schemes, especially those targeting seniors, exploit the most vulnerable. Our joint effort sends a clear message justice will prevail.”

The investigation involved collaboration with HSI, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and law enforcement agencies in the United Kingdom and Spain, including the UK’s National Crime Agency and Crown Prosecution Service.